ROBERT PARKER COMMODORE
W
ell, it’s another glorious Autumn day as I pen my last Tidings report as Commodore! My enthusiasm for all things ‘Freshy’ is not diminished though and the three months since last Tidings has been particularly busy. On Thursday, 8 April we held farewell drinks for our CEO, Paul Bayliss, after over 10 years with the Club. Paul’s popularity was clear from the large turnout and strong acclamation. Paul’s own enjoyment of his time with the Club was also clear from his kind words. He’s taking a well-earned break, and is currently back in the UK visiting relatives, friends and holidaying. With great serendipity we were fortunate that the thenCEO of Swan River Sailing, and State Manager of Australian WA, Andy Fethers, was just ‘on the market’ for a new career change, and we were extremely fortunate that Andy joined us on Monday, 2 May. Andy is well known to many in the sailing fraternity but please drop by and make his acquaintance. I also welcome to the Club our new Principal Accountant, Marcos Benedit. Marcos hails from Argentina but has worked in WA for several years, in various companies. He started on Wednesday, 25 May and was immediately confronted with our auditors – talk about a baptism of fire! Marcos is keen to rationalise and enhance our various
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Club financial systems. Future Treasurers will thank him if he can achieve that. Summer sailing season concluded on 9 April with beautiful Autumn weather with light breezes and excellent fleet numbers. Keelboat prize night on Friday, 13 May was well attended and congratulations to those who took home awards. Rear Commodore, Ian Burvill, elaborates in his article. The Dinghy section had a great season and Rear Commodore, Scott Monro, provides further details herein. The Australian Sailing Q3 report just released shows we are continuing to lead nationally in many categories. Foremost is that we were again the No. 1 Discover Sailing Centre nationally, with approx. 1,000 completed students. Our ongoing mission of course, is to keep those younger sailors engaged and progressing through to teenage and young adult fleets. The new Dinghy & Training Centre is certainly getting a good workout! Our Power Time Trialling Season got off to a great start on Saturday, 7 May. We had many visiting Commodores and Flag Officers
who all thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The wharf side official opening and subsequent party kicked on till late – surely helped by the West Winds Gin station! Rear Commodore Power, Elise Manners, provides further detail in her report. Tracey and I attended last night’s (27 May) ‘Musicals’ themed Dinghy Prize Night and it was great fun. The vibrancy in the Dinghy and Junior section is fantastic to see. Other key events in the last short while, all of which I attended, included: • Anzac Day Service – very strong attendance, moving remembrances and perfect conditions. • Retro Series final race and handover from RPYC – another great series. • Over 30 Years Crew lunch – guest speaker being Chris Bowman – get the book – it’s a fascinating story. • Old Gaffers Series end of season presentations. • Royal Perth Yacht Club and Claremont Yacht Club Power Opening days (we were also represented at SoPYC). • Ron Tough Yachting Foundation Awards – slick and professional as ever
under Philippa Packer’s chairing skills. Over $60,000 provided to an amazing group of young sailors, many of whom being members of our Club. Guest speaker Dr Bruce Buckley gave some fascinating insights into ‘track-side’ weather forecasting and planning. • Farrawa Cup Offshore Presentation evening – a great night with many visiting members from river and ocean-based clubs. Congratulations to Ross Norgard and the crew of Salacia II (RF1971) on winning first to Bunbury (IRC and PHS) and 2nd IRC Div 2 for the ‘both ways’ Overall. The crew debrief in the boatshed the next night was very lively as a result! • New Members’ Nights – three held since March edition of Tidings, with an amazing array of ages, experience and skills joining us. I thank my fellow Flag Officers and General Committee members who make the effort to come along and show support to the new members, as well as to their Proposers and Seconders who are bringing great new life into the Club. It can feel onerous, but they’re great continued on page 5 3
